Former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron has publicly disclosed his recent diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer, using his experience to champion a targeted screening programme for the disease.
The senior Conservative figure was prompted to seek a check-up after his wife, Samantha, heard Soho House founder Nick Jones discussing his own cancer journey on the radio.
The Diagnosis: A Personal Story
Lord Cameron underwent a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which led to an MRI scan and a biopsy confirming the presence of cancer. Recalling the moment he received the news in an interview with The Times, he said: "You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, 'Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it'."
He expressed a desire to add his voice to the growing call for a national screening strategy, particularly for men at high risk. "I want to, as it were, come out," he stated. "I want to add my name to the long list of people calling for a targeted screening programme. I don’t particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to."
Understanding Prostate Cancer in the UK
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with approximately 55,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Despite its prevalence, there is currently no national screening programme in the UK, largely due to ongoing debates about the reliability of the PSA test.
The NHS emphasises that in its early stages, prostate cancer often develops without any noticeable symptoms, as it typically starts growing on the outer part of the prostate gland.
Recognising the Warning Signs
While early-stage prostate cancer may be silent, there are symptoms men should be aware of. It is crucial to note that these signs can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, but they should never be ignored.
Urinary symptoms are common and can include:
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- A weak or interrupted urine flow
- Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
- A feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully
- A sudden, urgent need to urinate
Other potential symptoms may involve:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
The NHS advises consulting a GP if any symptoms appear, change, or worsen, particularly for men over 50 or those with a family history of the disease.
A Push for Screening and Awareness
Lord Cameron's announcement comes just days after the first eligible men in the UK were invited to join a major new trial to test promising screening techniques for prostate cancer. He hopes his story will encourage more men to be proactive about their health.
"Let’s be honest. Men are not very good at talking about their health," he remarked. "We tend to put things off. We’re embarrassed to talk about something like the prostate, because it’s so intricately connected with sexual health and everything else."
He concluded, "I sort of thought, well, this has happened to you, and you should lend your voice to it... I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it."
For men considering a test, the NHS explains that a PSA test cannot definitively diagnose cancer but can indicate problems with the prostate. Results typically take one to two weeks, and further investigations are needed for a confirmed diagnosis.
